Childless DCL cruisers unite

[phinz]

The fact that most adults on the boat bring kids with them and spend all their time with the kids makes me quite fond of DCL. It means there are less of us big kids in the big kid areas, so it oftentimes feels like a semi-private cruise.

 

[Dug720]

Any advice on activities for an 18 year old? Too old for teen activities but not old enough for some of the adult stuff.

The only "adult" thing the 18 year old can't do is drink. All adult areas and activities are 18+.

That said, there is usually an 1820 Society for 18-20 year olds. I have heard it is best to go to the first gathering to meet people and set activities.

 

[kiford]

2) Crew: we love interacting with them, the appear to enjoy interacting with us. On another cruise line most CM's would avert their eyes and NOT want to interact

Yes!

4) Shows - Enjoy them. And most of the other entertainers they bring on board - and don't have to worry about random (continuous) F bombs

Yes! And the shows, even though somewhat catering to younger children are very well done and can still be quite enjoyable. I was surprised at how well Aladdin was done on our last cruise.

5) Staterooms are larger than what we experienced on a similar sized ship on a different CL

Not been on other cruise lines but looking at the size of staterooms on other lines they do appear to be larger and I was quite pleased on our first cruise to discover that we wouldn't be sailing in a little teeny tiny room.

6) We love Disney Stuff. It's there, but it's also not Mickey ALL of the Time either.

I've actually been willing to get my photo taken with many characters and that's just not really something I do. But somehow it seems more fun when you're on the ship. And the characters often come around the adults only areas just to interact with adults instead of being inundated with children.

7) Sorry @Dug720 but I also enjoy Star Wars and Marvel (but I'm not going out of my way to do the "days at sea" either

I like Marvel, not so keen on Star Wars, but as per comment above, somehow DCL manages to get me into the mood to enjoy it.

8) Adult only areas

Which they are fairly good about keeping adults only (yes, there's the occasional lapse but in general we find that they are reasonably diligent). And adult only activities and areas which are not necessarily adult only but which rarely appeal to children (e.g., piano lounge).

9) and on the other hand, there's a W-I-D-E age range on the ships that keeps it interesting. Unlike some other lines, there's not a majority of 20 somethings partying all of the time and worse yet, the ship is not 85% 70+ year olds.

Yes!

10) Very Important: Service!!

No. 1 for us.

11) The DCL Fleet is CLASSY!! Not floating milk cartons

Egg cartons DH calls them.

13) Smoke Free Interiors plus could care less about Casinos.

This is one of the most important aspects for me. If there is a cruise ship that allows smoking anywhere in the interior, I will not be sailing. I don't care how good your ventilation system is, I'm allergic and I react and you can smell it on fabric. After a week, your clothes will pick it up.

Also: clean, kept clean, kept in good condition all the time.

 

[carrieshields]

The only "adult" thing the 18 year old can't do is drink. All adult areas and activities are 18+.

That said, there is usually an 1820 Society for 18-20 year olds. I have heard it is best to go to the first gathering to meet people and set activities.

Thank you! I didn't know about the 1820 Society. I will look into it.

 

[Dug720]

Thank you! I didn't know about the 1820 Society. I will look into it.

I don't know that it's mentioned on the website, but the meeting time and place will be listed at least in the grid of the Navigator you'll get in the terminal on embarkation day. Worst-case ask at guest services. It's usually in the evening I think. I've just seen it when glancing through the Navigator as I was well out of the Society age range on my first DCL cruise.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thank you! I didn't know about the 1820 Society. I will look into it.

They generally have a meet the first night (I'm going to say around 10:00) with a DCL CM who will help set up activities that the group wants to do. If no one shows up (or not many) the first night, the group basically fizzles and nothing is set up.

 

[Kkb0517]

Solo adult - one cat, but he doesn't travel. I have always loved Disney, and that has carried over into adulthood.

I have cruised HAL, RCCL, and fathom - the latter two were fine (fathom is really in a category by itself because of its mission). But because of the service, the entertainment, the cruise director and all of the crew, the food, the standard of cleanliness and repair, and the overall vibe DCL will always be my brand of choice.

Can I ask what you didn't like about Holland America?

 

[Dug720]

Can I ask what you didn't like about Holland America?

Pretty much everything. The ship reeked of smoke partly because of the casino (which you had no choice but to walk through to get to the dining room unless you wanted to go up or down and walk down a cabin hallway then down or up - but the stench was still there) and partly because smoking was allowed on verandahs and that carried into the cabins. The crew was less than friendly - even at "Guest Services" I felt like I was annoying them by asking them anything. The dining room service was atrocious and disorganized. The so-called "entertainment" was horrible. The only thing that made it bearable was the group I was with. And Alaska.

My cousins love HAL though. (My guess is that more than anything else it's because it's still the most liberal regarding smoking and they smoke.)

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Pretty much everything. The ship reeked of smoke partly because of the casino (which you had no choice but to walk through to get to the dining room unless you wanted to go up or down and walk down a cabin hallway then down or up - but the stench was still there) and partly because smoking was allowed on verandahs and that carried into the cabins. The crew was less than friendly - even at "Guest Services" I felt like I was annoying them by asking them anything. The dining room service was atrocious and disorganized. The so-called "entertainment" was horrible. The only thing that made it bearable was the group I was with. And Alaska.

My cousins love HAL though. (My guess is that more than anything else it's because it's still the most liberal regarding smoking and they smoke.)

Well, they've restricted the smoking a bit more. Beginning in Jan, verandahs are smoke-free. But, I don't like going through the casino to get from one end of the ship to the other, either. They just can't get all the smoke smell out. There are also fewer indoor areas where smoking is allowed.

We like HAL (done 3 HAL cruises). We found the servers in the dining rooms are a bit more formal. But, after our first cruise, we tend to be more friendly/outgoing with our servers at the beginning of the cruise. That seems to work fine. I think the manner that many HAL cruisers treat the staff (like they are servants) tends to make them respond on that level. But when approached with outgoing people, they do warm up.

I do agree about the HAL shows. But, I will admit the best show I've seen on any cruise ship (DCL included) was on our HAL Panama Canal cruise. Primarily due to the performers (they were phenomenal), but the show itself was good. Sadly, it only lasted for one season.

 

[Dug720]

Well, they've restricted the smoking a bit more. Beginning in Jan, verandahs are smoke-free. But, I don't like going through the casino to get from one end of the ship to the other, either. They just can't get all the smoke smell out. There are also fewer indoor areas where smoking is allowed.

We like HAL (done 3 HAL cruises). We found the servers in the dining rooms are a bit more formal. But, after our first cruise, we tend to be more friendly/outgoing with our servers at the beginning of the cruise. That seems to work fine. I think the manner that many HAL cruisers treat the staff (like they are servants) tends to make them respond on that level. But when approached with outgoing people, they do warm up.

I do agree about the HAL shows. But, I will admit the best show I've seen on any cruise ship (DCL included) was on our HAL Panama Canal cruise. Primarily due to the performers (they were phenomenal), but the show itself was good. Sadly, it only lasted for one season.

The service team we had was awful. Yes, our group was spread over several tables, but that was no excuse to serve the tables piecemeal where one or two people at a table would get their plates, one or two at another, one or two at another, then 10 minutes later a few more. Accompanying sauces were forgotten. Orders were wrong. And no one apologized for any of it.

 

[Budzooka]

We were on the Fantasy in summer 2016 for our first cruise and booked a placeholder while on the ship. We decided to take our next cruise while school is in session and leave the kids at home. As great of a family vacation as this was, we are so excited to enjoy some of the adult only activities and not have to worry about the kids.

 

[MELSMICE]

Just did our first Disney cruise (first cruise overall) with just DH and I and thoroughly enjoyed it. Have already booked our next one. Even though there were kids we didn't feel like they took away from enjoying our personal "adult only" cruise. We enjoyed the adult areas, the lounges, the dining with other adults and everything else. We saw a lot of kids but in all honesty, didn't feel overwhelmed by tons of kids. One of our adult daughters may join us on the next one.

I thought the service was amazing on DCL. I'm sure we will try another cruise line some day and I be able to compare but our first experience cruising was a great one on DCL.

 

[mevelandry]

Solo and childless myself. I'm a born and raised Disney fanatic with WDW in my backyard. My parents and I wanted to cruise Disney for years, but price always kept us on other lines. Then we finally found a price we were willing to pay and have been hooked ever since. The cleanliness, attention to detail, service, entertainment, and overall experience keeps us hooked--not to mention a deep love of the brand. But like others, prices are getting too out of reach for us. As a teacher, I'm limited to peak seasons. We decided to try the Oasis of the Seas this summer and it will be difficult not to constantly compare everything. My parents hope it'll be easier to meet other singles on a non-Disney ship. When I go on DCL, though, it's to relax and enjoy being like a kid again. I'm a geek with no interest in gambling or bars. In fact, my friends and I booked a Marvel cruise for next January (work doesn't know yet lol).

I don't know if you've ever followed the "Sea Cruisers" on youtube but they do great vlogs and they made episodes on the Oasis of the seas. It was interesting.

They are "normal people" they don't sugar coat anything. If they think a pool looks dirty, or food is gross, they will say it. If they think something great, you'll know as well.

 

[DogMom]

My DH and I don't have kids and love DCL. I know there are bunches of others without kids who love Disney and DCL. So my question is if you don't have kids what keeps you coming back to DCL?


Edit: childless can also mean you have kids but sail without them.

Cause it's the best! No further explanation needed

 

[mevelandry]

Pretty much everything. The ship reeked of smoke partly because of the casino (which you had no choice but to walk through to get to the dining room unless you wanted to go up or down and walk down a cabin hallway then down or up - but the stench was still there) and partly because smoking was allowed on verandahs and that carried into the cabins. The crew was less than friendly - even at "Guest Services" I felt like I was annoying them by asking them anything. The dining room service was atrocious and disorganized. The so-called "entertainment" was horrible. The only thing that made it bearable was the group I was with. And Alaska.

My cousins love HAL though. (My guess is that more than anything else it's because it's still the most liberal regarding smoking and they smoke.)

What ship was that? I always ask because different ship = different staff, different cooks, performers, hosts, etc.

I remember that before the dry dock, all I read was bad reviews on how the food was bad and the staff members were not nice on the Disney Wonder compared to those on the Dream/Fantasy.

We had the worst head server on our first Disney Dream cruise...

 

[Dug720]

What ship was that? I always ask because different ship = different staff, different cooks, performers, hosts, etc.

I remember that before the dry dock, all I read was bad reviews on how the food was bad and the staff members were not nice on the Disney Wonder compared to those on the Dream/Fantasy.

We had the worst head server on our first Disney Dream cruise...

The Westerdam. But I have not heard much better about their others. Especially the stench. And it was bad enough I would not even take a totally paid for WITH drunks included cruise on HAL. Fool me once...

They didn't get the nickname "Ashtray of the Seas" for no reason.

They may have begun to change their smoking policies, but until all those interiors are ripped out and totally replaced, the stench will remain because it's been allowed for years.

 

[ACDSNY]

We're in our late fifties and sailed 11 times on DCL so sometimes we cruise alone and other times we bring family...grown kids, grandson, nieces and nephew. JRabbit's list sums it up nicely. Our last Princess cruises seemed like floating nursing home and we're not into the party boats. Love the smoke free, family friendly, great service and beautiful boats. So far still finding new itineraries to try, longer cruises are great, or ones you can add onto to make a wonderful vacation.

We typically sail in the off season so pricing is a little better and we book opening day.

 

[LocustPoint]

My husband and I like the fact that there is no casino on board. I enjoy the shows and he enjoys reading in the shade of adult area all day. You'll find me in the sun.

 

[For the love of Pooh]

I ended up on DCL for the first time last year as a solo adult cruiser because the fare was good for a panama canal transit. I loved the service, food, variety of activities, and entertainment. DCL is kind of pricey but for a long sailing where you are spending most days at sea it was a good choice. I liked it so much I'm doing a transatlantic on DCL this year. My choices for future cruises on DCL is limited as I've sailed the Bahamas and the Caribbean plenty and am looking to explore new ports.

 

[sc426]

We had our honeymoon on an Alaska cruise in 2015 and loved it! I have always been a Disney person. Who needs kids in order to love Disney anything! This year we are headed back out to sea to do a 7 night eastern. My DH is in the Coast Guard and the stops that we will stop at, he can show me around since he knows his seas